City of Austin

AUSTIN, TEXAS – Once our Christmas trees have been taken down and stripped of their decorations, they have a new purpose! City of Austin residents can give their real trees a second life by recycling them into mulch or compost. Annually, Christmas tree recycling keeps nearly 20,000 trees out of area landfills, which contributes to the City’s goal of reaching Zero Waste by 2040.

For City of Austin curbside customers, recycling Christmas trees is as easy as setting it on the curb. Beginning Dec. 26, 2019, Austin Resource Recovery will pick up all natural trees, along with yard trimmings, on regularly scheduled collection days. All trees for curbside collection that are six feet or taller must be cut in half. Please set your tree at the curb by 6:30 a.m. The collected trees and yard trimmings are then composted or turned into Dillo Dirt™.

All residents, including those without City of Austin curbside service, can drop off their trees at the Zilker Metropolitan Park Polo Fields between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on the following days:

Saturday, Dec. 28, 2019

Sunday, Dec. 29, 2019

Saturday, Jan. 4, 2020

Sunday, Jan. 5, 2020

Residents should use the following guidelines when recycling their tree:

Trees sprayed with flocking, or artificial snow, are not accepted

Remove all ornaments, decorations, lights and the tree stand

Do not place the tree in a “tree bag”

Only natural trees may be recycled

Mulch from trees collected at the drop-off location will be available on a first-come, first served basis to Austin residents on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2020.

Media is invited to attend the Christmas Tree Drop-Off event. See below for staff availability for interviews.